5 best places in London to buy Toffee Pops and other Kiwi goodness   2 Apr 2011

Joseph Hoye

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Toffeepops

Is there anything more New Zealand than a toffee pop? That gooey caramel filling on a vanilla biscuit base wrapped up in a luscious coating of milk chocolate is one of those quintessential kiwi treats that we sometimes find ourselves craving once we leave the shores of Aotearoa.

We can buy a kiwifruit from Waitrose. Pavlova? Bake it at home. But a toffee pop…

Or if sweet treats don’t rock your boat, then how about Twisties? Not those anaemic looking Australian snacks that look like they’ve been passed by a Nullarbor goat after a week in a Waikato paddock. I’m talking about the real deal: Eta Twisties of childhood birthday party memories. Or maybe Burger Rings?

Whatever NZ treat (or beer) you might be craving, it can be very difficult finding it in London. And if you manage to persuade a visiting friend or relative to bring a Moro or Pineapple Lumps from home, good luck trying to keep your stash secret. So, we’ve located the 5 best places in London to stock up on New Zealand food.

#1. Kiwifruits

Located very close to New Zealand House in Haymarket, Kiwifruits is the only one of these stores that focuses solely on New Zealand products. This is also a great place to pick up some Kiwi sounds, grab the latest edition of Cuisine or stock up on the latest books from NZ publishing houses. More details here

#2. The New Zealand Shop

Visiting Covent Garden? Make sure you drop in to the New Zealand Shop on Maiden Lane. It’s a part of the Australia Shop, which also carries a range of South Afriacan and Canadian products for comparison (Who could say no to Beacon Fizzers Blue Buzz or Bick’s Polski Ogorki Dills?) Great place for Monteith’s and 42 Below. More details here

#3. Jumbucks

Live out west? Shepherd’s Bush is the home of Aussie pie company Jumbucks. Australian pies, you cry? Yep. They’re not up there with Ponsonby Pies but they’re not bad as pies go. More importantly, they sell a decent selection of New Zealand food. And most importantly, they have amazing chocolate lamingtons. Check out their Southern Cross Deli here

#4. The Alma N1

This is a British gastro-pub in north London. Great food, great ales and everything is run with an eye towards sustainability by Kiwi manager Kirsty Valentine. Kirsty also keeps a small stock of New Zealand treats behind the counter. Drop in for a meal and take home some Jaffas. How to get there

#5. Hot News

This was a chance find in Canary Wharf. Port East Warehouse is an apartment complex at West India Quay, next door to the Museum of London Docklands. In the basement is a newsagent called Hot News. This place is stuffed full with New Zealand, Australian and South African kai. You'll see a few Tui trucker caps floating around here, too. This place must be Canary Wharf’s best kept secret. Port East Warehouse, E14 4AF.

So, that’s five great places to stock up on New Zealand supplies – now you won’t have to hide your stash from flatmates, kids or the spouse any longer. And as a bonus for those Kiwiphiles who don’t live in London, Kiwifruits, Jumbucks and The New Zealand Shop all have online catalogues and stores. What  more could you ask for?

If you know of more shops that sell New Zealand food and produts in the UK  then let me know at [email protected]

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